State of California Doctors
State Contract Goes into Effect
On Monday August 23, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the UAPD Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) bill, meaning that the Agreement has gone into effect.
CDCR NEEDS MORE, NOT FEWER, DENTISTS
On August 4th, the DPA gave UAPD notice of CDCR''s intention to lay off thirty-one dentists working in state prisons effective January 14, 2011, as part of a larger plan to reduce the dentist-to-patient ratio and shift work to newly hired dental hygienists.
Read More About CDCR Dentists
UAPD Doctors Will Not Be Furloughed
All doctors in UAPD''s Bargaining Unit 16 have been excluded from the new round of furloughs announced by Governor Schwarzenegger on July 28th. The new plan does not impose furloughs on members of the six bargaining units that have ratified tentative agreements with the state. UAPD members ratified their tentative agreement last week, and therefore B.U. 16 will not be furloughed.
Read more about the furlough announcement in the Sacramento Bee HERE.
Read coverage of the furloughs, including analysis by UAPD Excecutive Director Al Groh, in the Los Angeles Times HERE.
State of California Bargaining 2009-2010: Tentative Agreement Ratified
On July 22nd, UAPD members voted overwhelming in favor of ratifying the Tentative Agreement reached with the State of Californi in June. The Agreement will go into effect pending approval by the State Legislature.
State of California Bargaining 2009-2010: Tentative Agreement Reached
The UAPD Bargaining Team reached a TA with the State of California on June 25th. Ballots and a detailed summary of the agreement were paper mailed to all UAPD members in Bargaining Unit 16 on July 1st. Ballots are due back at the UAPD Oakland office on July 22nd at 5 pm. If you are a member and have not received a ballot, please contact Christine Cordova at 510-839-0193.
Read More About State Bargaining
Schwarzenegger Threatens Pay Cut for State Workers
In 2008, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued an Executive Order to cut wage rates for all state employees covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to the federal minimum wage of $6.55/hour, and to pay exempt employees like doctors $455.00 per week. Citing legal and logistical reasons, Controller John Chiang refused to implement the outrageous order, and was sued by Schwarzenegger as a result. The case is currently before the 3rd District Court of Appeal, with oral arguments scheduled for late June.
Now there are concerns among state-employee unions that the governor is pushing for a quick decision in the case because he plans to issue another Executive Order to cut state-worker wages this year, as a way of putting pressure on Democratic legislators during budget negotiations. The move would be a tremendous waste of State resources; aside from opening the State up to an avalanche of litigation from employees whose rights under the FLSA would likely be violated, it would involve making costly, potentially troublesome changes to an ancient payroll system that is scheduled to be scrapped in 2012. Moreover, working families across the country will suffer if politicians like Schwarzenegger are allowed to withhold public employee salaries to serve their own political interests. US Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, who opposed the 2008 minimum wage order, is again expected to play a role if Schwarzenegger goes forward with the plan again this year.
Schwarzenegger Threatens CDCR Medical Care
The Governor is trying to push through a plan to transfer inmate medical care to a pilot telemedicine program run by the University of California.
Read more about Threat to CDCR Medical
Furloughs: Another Legal Victory, Another Schwarzenegger Appeal
On Februrary 25, 2010, Judge Frank Roesh ordered the State to grant backpay for time lost to furloughs to special fund doctors. On March 24th, he gave an ending date for furloughs for the same special fund doctors. The Schwarzenegger administration immediately appealed the decisions, and got more stays to delay their implementation.
Read More about Furlough Lawsuit
UAPD Criticizes DMH Judgment in Light of Manager's Arrest
UAPD expressed concern today over Department of Mental Health (DMH) administrative practices, including those that lead to the ill-advised hiring of Claude Foulk as Executive Director of the hospital. Foulk was charged this week in Long Beach with 35 felony counts. He was summarily terminated from his position with DMH.
UAPD DMH Foulk Press Release.pdf
Public Hearing On Lanterman Closure
A public hearing on the recommendation to close Lanterman Developmental Center will be conducted by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS). Doctors are urged to attend. UAPD has contacted the DDS to express its grave concern about the welfare of patients at Lanterman, and to request that the union be involved in all stakeholder meetings concerning the facility, patients, and physicians.
UAPD Wins Furlough Lawsuit
In one of a series of legal blows to Schwarzenegger's Furlough plan, UAPD won a lawsuit challenging furloughs filed in Alameda Superior Court. While Schwarzengger vows to appeal, UAPD is working to enforce the judge's order to end furloughs for many UAPD doctors.
More on Furlough Lawsuit Victory
Nearly 300 Doctors File Grievance over Columbus Day Holiday
Nearly 300 doctors responded to Dr. Bussey’s call to action by signing the class-action grievance filed by UAPD over the State’s elimination of the Columbus Day holiday. The grievance seeks a restoration of the Columbus Day holiday and money to compensate for its loss last month. While the collective grievance covers all Bargaining Unit 16 members, the additional doctor signatures give the grievance added weight.
More on Columbus Day Grievance
UAPD Files Medical Board Charges Against El-Sabaawi
The Medical License of Mohamed El-Sabaawi, the court-appointed monitor who oversees the system of care in several DHM facilities, expired on February 28, 2009. It is not know why El-Sabaawi did not renew his license.
Read Press Release on El Sabaawi
DPA Announces More Layoffs; Impact on BU 16 Not Known
9/17/09: The Department of Personnel Administration (DPA) has issued surplus notices to some UAPD-represented Physicians and Dentists working for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), specifically within CDCR Headquarters and the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). The State of California is required to send surplus notices to employees before initiating layoffs; but it need not follow through on layoffs after surplus notices have been sent. In the case of UAPD-represented doctors, no layoffs have been initiated as of this date. It is not yet known how many, if any, Bargaining Unit 16 employees might face a layoff. UAPD is now scheduling a meeting with the DPA to learn more details. Physicians and Dentists who have received a surplus notice are encouraged to contact UAPD if they require assistance.
7/14/09: This morning the Department of Personnel Administration (DPA) informed all unions representing State employees that 2000 state workers paid from the State's general fund will receive layoff notices. It is not yet known how many, if any, of these notices will go to UAPD-represented physicians, dentists, and podiatrists of Bargaining Unit 16. The DPA stated its intention to provide more details on Monday, July 20th, and UAPD will immediately distribute the information we receive. The DPA did state that employees who receive layoff notices would be able to transfer to open general fund positions, which would mitigate the effects of any layoffs in our bargaining unit. So far, our bargaining unit has been almost untouched by layoffs. Though the state is running out of funds, the DPA confirmed that civil service employees will continue to receive paychecks, not IOUs.
Furlough Information Center
UAPD has actively opposed shifting the budget mess onto the shoulders of state workers through furloughs.
Read More About State Worker Furloughs
Doctors Fight to Save Medical Care for Veterans
UAPD President Dr. Stuart Bussey is leading the opposition to a plan made by the State Department of Veterans Affairs to close an acute care unit in Yountville that services 1,100 elderly and disabled vetrans.
Read More About Yountville Veterans Home
Earlier News for State Employees
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR)
Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) (Formerly Department of Health Services)
Department of Public Health (DPH) (Formerly Department of Health Services)
Department of Mental Health (DMH)
Department of Social Services (DSS)
Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA)
California State University Bargaining Unit
UAPD contracts with the California State University System can be found HERE
CalPERS Benefits
UAPD encourages State-employed doctors to take the time to learn about the wide range of benefits available to them through CalPERS, so that they can make the best retirement and healthcare choices for themselves and their families.
Important Pension Information for Doctors Hired AFTER August 11, 2004
For general information about the retirement, health, and other CalPERS benefits available to state-employed doctors, go to https://www.calpers.ca.gov/. Click on the "For Members" link near the top of the page, then answer the questions to enter the section of the website that pertains to you. There you will be able to learn about purchasing retirement service credit, choosing a health or dental plan, qualifying for disability and much more. Under online services you can even find calculators that can help you plan your retirement. Click on the "Forms and Publications Center" link to download informational booklets and any forms you need.
For specific information about your own CalPERS benefits, register at https://my.calpers.ca.gov/.
If you have questions, first contact the CalPERS Customer Contact Center at 1-888 CalPERS (or 1-888-225-7377).
Contact your labor representative next if, after talking with a CalPERS agent, you believe a problem exists with your CalPERS benefits.